Manually operated water-pic

ABSTRACT

A manually operated water-pic including: a body being a hollow tube; a nozzle disposed at a first end of the hollow tube: a plunger inserted into a second end of the hollow tube so as to be movable relative to the hollow tube between a retracted position and an extended position, the plunger having a seal substantially disposed at an end of the plunger; wherein the seal sealingly engaging with an inner surface of the hollow tube; and the seal defines an inner cavity in the hollow tube for holding a fluid, the inner cavity being in fluid communication with the nozzle such that fluid in the inner cavity is discharged from the nozzle when the plunger is moved towards the retracted position and fluid is drawn into the inner cavity when the plunger is moved towards the extended position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. application Ser. No.16/868,454, filed on May 6, 2020, which claims benefit to U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/844,236, filed on May 7, 2019, the entirecontents thereof is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The present invention relates generally to water-pics and moreparticularly to a manually operated water pic.

2. Prior Art

Water pics are known in the art for dislodging debris from and inbetween teeth. Such water pics operate with the use of electric pumpsthat pump water or other fluids through a small nozzle at a highpressure. The high pressure water or other fluid is directed at teeth todislodge debris.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, a manually operated water-pic is provided. The manuallyoperated water-pic comprising: a body comprising a hollow tube; a nozzledisposed at a first end of the hollow tube: a plunger inserted into asecond end of the hollow tube so as to be movable relative to the hollowtube between a retracted position and an extended position, the plungerhaving a seal substantially disposed at an end of the plunger; whereinthe seal sealingly engaging with an inner surface of the hollow tube;and the seal defines an inner cavity in the hollow tube for holding afluid, the inner cavity being in fluid communication with the nozzlesuch that fluid in the inner cavity is discharged from the nozzle whenthe plunger is moved towards the retracted position and fluid is drawninto the inner cavity when the plunger is moved towards the extendedposition.

The tube can have a first hollow portion and a second hollow portion,the first hollow portion having a larger inner diameter than the secondhollow portion, the plunger being movable only within the first hollowportion, and the nozzle being disposed on an end of the second hollowportion.

The seal can be a piston.

The hollow tube can be disposed to extend along a longitudinal axis andthe nozzle can be configured to direct fluid in a direction offset fromthe longitudinal direction.

The manually operated water-pic can further comprise a handle disposedat an other end of the plunger. The handle can be a knob.

The seal can comprise first and second seals spaced apart in alongitudinal direction of the plunger.

Also provided is a toothbrush comprising: a head having bristles at afirst end; and a water pic at a second end, the water pic comprising: ashaft extending from the head, the shaft having a first sealsubstantially disposed at a free end of the shaft; a holding tubemovably disposed over the shaft, the holding tube comprising an innercavity for holding a fluid, the inner cavity having a surface upon whichthe first seal sealingly engages; a nozzle disposed at a first end ofthe holding tube for discharging the fluid; and an end cap releasablysecured to the first end to conceal the nozzle when secured to the firstend and to expose the nozzle when releasably removed from the first end.

The end cap can be removably secured on the first end of the holdingtube by a detent mechanism.

The holding tube can have a second end, the second end having a detentmechanism for releasably securing the head to the second end of theholding tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus ofthe present invention will become better understood with regard to thefollowing description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of water-pic toothbrush with a plungerin a compressed state.

FIG. 2 illustrates the water-pic toothbrush of FIG. 1 with the plungerin an extended state.

FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional of the water-pic toothbrush of FIG. 1with a plunger in a compressed state as taken along section 3-3.

FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional of the water-pic toothbrush of FIG. 2with the plunger in an extended state as taken along section 4-4.

FIG. 4 a illustrates an enlarged detail view of the seals of thewater-pic toothbrush of FIG. 4 .

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrates front views of another embodiment of water-pictoothbrush in compressed and extended states, respectively.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrates rear views of the water-pic toothbrush ofFIGS. 5 and 6 , respectively.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrates sectional views of the water-pic toothbrushof FIGS. 5 and 6 , respectively, as taken along lines 9-9 and 10-10,respectively.

FIGS. 10 a and 10 b illustrate enlarged detail views of the seals of thewater-pic toothbrush of FIG. 10 .

FIG. 11 illustrates a water-pic assembly in which a plunger is in afully retracted position in a body of the water-pic.

FIG. 12 illustrates the water-pic assembly of FIG. 11 in which theplunger is removed from the body.

FIG. 13 illustrates the water-pic assembly of FIG. 11 in which theplunger is in a fully extended position relative to the body.

FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the water-pic of FIG. 11in which the plunger is between the fully retracted and fully extendedpositions relative to the body.

FIG. 15 illustrates a bristle side view of another embodiment ofwater-pic toothbrush with a plunger in a compressed state.

FIG. 16 illustrates a back side view of the water-pic toothbrush of FIG.15 with the plunger in a compressed state.

FIG. 17 illustrates an enlarged view of a detent mechanism of thewater-pic toothbrush of FIG. 16 .

FIG. 18 illustrates the water-pic toothbrush of FIG. 15 with the plungerin an extended state.

FIG. 19 illustrates the water-pic toothbrush of FIG. 15 with the plungerin the extended state and an end cap removed to expose a water-picnozzle.

FIG. 20 illustrates a sectional view of the water-pic toothbrush of FIG.19 with the plunger in the extended state (without the end cap).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate an embodiment of a toothbrush 100 having a manuallyoperated pump to provide a water pic function. Such pump having the-water pic function is manually operated without the need for electricpower and without the need for an electric pump. As shown in FIG. 1 ,the toothbrush 100 has a conventional head 102 having an array ofbristles 104. The head and bristles are formed of materials know in theart, such as plastics.

The toothbrush head 102 extends longitudinally to a neck 106. The neckcan also be formed of materials known in the art, such as plastics. Theshaft 108 can be formed integrally with the neck or separately therefromand fixed to the neck 106, such as by press fitting, threading oradhering a portion of the shaft into a corresponding blind hole ormating thread in the neck 106. The neck 106 further extendslongitudinally with a shaft 108 which is exposed when a holding tube 110is moved longitudinally away from the head 104. A free end of the shaftincludes a plunger or piston 112 closely fitted with an inner diameterof the holding tube 110. As shown in FIG. 4 a , the plunger or piston112 can have a seal 112 a formed on a surface thereof which sealsagainst an inner surface of the holding tube 110. The sealing surfacecan be integrally formed with the plunger or piston or separatelyformed, such as an o-ring disposed in a corresponding o-ring groove onthe piston or plunger. The head 102, neck 106, shaft 108 and tube 110forming a body and at least parts thereof configuring the pump.

As also shown in FIG. 4 a , one end of the holding tube 110 includes aseal 114 to watertightly seal around the shaft 108. The seal 114 can beformed integrally with the end of the holding tube 110 or formedseparately therefrom, such as in a cap or insert fixed to the one end,such as by mating threads or an adhesive. The seal 114 can alternativelybe a diaphragm formed of a thin rubber sheet having a hole smaller thanan outside diameter of the shaft 108 or an o-ring type seal fitted intoa corresponding o-ring groove at the end of the holding tube 110 orformed in the cap. In FIGS. 1 and 2 , the holding tube 110 is showntransparent so that the shaft 108 and seal 112 can be showntherethrough.

Another end of the holding tube 110 includes a nozzle 116 having anopening 116 a with a diameter smaller than that of the inner diameter ofthe holding tube 110. The water tube 110 can be formed of a plastic,which can be transparent or substantially transparent. The nozzle 116can be integrally formed with the holding tube 110 or separately formedtherefrom and fixed to the holding tube 110, such as by press-fit,mating threads or adhesive.

The holding tube 110 is longitudinally movable on the shaft 108 from thecompressed position shown in FIG. 1 to the extended position shown inFIG. 2 .

To operate the pumping water-pic function of the toothbrush 100, theholding tube 110 is moved to the compressed state shown in FIG. 1 whilethe nozzle 116 is immersed in a liquid, such as water. While maintainingthe nozzle 116 immersed in the liquid, the neck 106 (and head 102) iswithdrawn away from the holding tube 110 so as to draw the liquid intothe holding tube 110 by suction. The nozzle 116 can then be removed fromthe liquid and directed at the teeth while the holding tube 110 is drawnback towards the neck 106 such that the plunger 112 forces the liquid inthe holding tube 110 to be expelled from the nozzle 116.

The pressure at which the liquid is expelled from the nozzle varies withthe force applied to withdraw the holding tube 110 towards the neck 106and the size of the opening of the nozzle 116. In this regard, thenozzle 116 can be replaceable, such as with a female thread on thenozzle and a mating male thread on the end of the holding tube 110. Ifreplaceable, a seal can also be provided between the nozzle and theholding tube, such as mating tapered surfaces or an elastomer seal. Thereplaceable nozzles can have varying size openings to provide varyingpressures.

As a further alternative, the head 102 and/or bristles 104 can bereplaceable from the neck 106 to replace bristles that are worn or toprovide different stiffness bristles.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-10 , there is shown another embodiment ofwater-pic toothbrush, generally referred to by reference numeral 200. Asdiscussed above with regard to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 , thewater-pic toothbrush of FIGS. 5-10 also includes a manually operatedpump having a water pic function that is manually operated without theneed for electric power and without the need for an electric pump. Asshown in FIGS. 5-8 , the toothbrush 200 has a conventional head 202having an array of bristles 204. The head and bristles are formed ofmaterials know in the art, such as plastics.

The toothbrush head 202 extends longitudinally to a neck 206 and handle208. The neck 206 and handle 208 can also be formed of materials knownin the art, such as plastics. Together, the head 202, neck 206 andhandle 208 form a body 210, which can be integrally formed or formedfrom parts and attached together, such as by press-fit or adhesive, suchas a clam-shell configuration as is known in the art.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10 , the body 210 includes a reservoir 212formed therein for holding a liquid, such as water. The reservoir 212can be a portion or a substantial entirety of a longitudinal lengthand/or lateral width of the body 210.

Referring back to FIGS. 5-8 , the water-pic toothbrush 200 furtherincludes a shaft 214 having a grip 216 at an end thereof configured tobe gripped by a user for operating the water-pic function of thewater-pic toothbrush as described below. The grip 216 can have a shapethat substantially matches the contours of the adjacent portions of thehandle 208 such that, when the grip 216 abuts the handle 208 (FIGS. 5and 7 ), the same fit together and have an appearance of beingintegrally formed as a single piece.

As shown in FIG. 10 a , one end of the reservoir 212 or a conduitextending from the reservoir 212 includes a seal 220 for watertightlysealing against an outer surface of the shaft 214. The seal 220 can beformed integrally with the handle 208 in the area of the reservoir 212or conduit or formed separately therefrom, such as an insert 220 ahaving a projecting seal 220 b engaging with a surface of the shaft 214or as an o-ring type seal in a corresponding groove formed in the handle208.

As shown in FIG. 10 b , a free end of the shaft 214 includes a plungeror piston 222 having a surface 222 a closely fitted with an innersurface of the reservoir 212. The plunger or piston 222 can have thesealing surface 222 a formed thereon which seals against an innersurface of the reservoir 212. The sealing surface can be integrallyformed with the plunger or piston or separately formed, such as ano-ring disposed in a corresponding o-ring groove on the piston orplunger.

The body 210 includes a nozzle 224, such as on a surface of the head 202opposing the surface on which the bristles 204 are formed. The nozzle224 having an opening 224 a with a diameter smaller than that of thereservoir 212 or conduit 218 proximate to the nozzle 224. The nozzle 224can be integrally formed with the body 210 or separately formedtherefrom and fixed to the body 210, such as by press-fit, matingthreads or adhesive.

For purposes of this disclosure, the reservoir and conduit(s) can becollectively considered to be the reservoir.

The shaft 214 can be formed integrally with the grip 216 or separatelytherefrom and fixed to the grip 216, such as by press fitting, threadingor adhering a portion of the shaft into a corresponding blind hole ormating thread in the grip 216. The shaft 214 is exposed when the grip216 is moved longitudinally away from the body 210. Thus, the shaft 214is longitudinally movable within the reservoir 212 from the compressedposition shown in FIGS. 5, 7 and 9 to the extended position shown inFIGS. 6, 8 and 10 .

To operate the water-pic function of the water-pic toothbrush 200, thegrip 216 is moved to the compressed state shown in FIGS. 5, 7 and 9while the nozzle 224 is immersed in a liquid, such as water. Whilemaintaining the nozzle 224 immersed in the liquid, the grip 216 iswithdrawn away from the body 210 so as to draw the liquid into thereservoir 212 by suction. The nozzle 224 can then be removed from theliquid and directed at the teeth while the grip 216 is drawn backtowards the body 210 such that the plunger 222 forces the liquid in thereservoir 212 to be expelled from the nozzle 224.

As discussed above with regard to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 , thepressure at which the liquid is expelled from the nozzle 224 varies withthe force applied to draw the grip 216 towards the body 210 and the sizeof the opening of the nozzle 224. In this regard, the nozzle 224 can bereplaceable, such as with a male thread on the nozzle and a matingfemale thread in the body 210. The replaceable nozzles can have varyingsize openings to provide varying pressures.

As an alternative configuration, the water-pic tooth brush 200 can beconfigured similarly to a “Super-Soaker,” as the same is known in theart. In this regard, the reservoir 212 can comprise an expandablebladder having an interior in fluid communication with the nozzle 224. Avalve is closed allowing the fluid to be drawn into the bladder withseveral in and out strokes of the piston 222 to build up additionalpressure in the bladder. At such time, the valve, such as a push-bottomswitch held by the body 210 and positioned in the conduit 218, can bemoved to an open position allowing the pressurized fluid in the bladderto flow through the conduit 218 and from the nozzle 224 at an increasedpressure. In this regard, the stroke of the piston 222 can be made to besmaller such that several strokes are necessary to fully pressurize thebladder.

Referring now to FIGS. 11-14 , there is illustrated a manually operatedwater-pic, generally referred to with reference number 300. The manuallyoperated water-pic comprising a body in the form of a hollow tube 302. Anozzle 304 is disposed at a first end 306 a of the hollow tube 302. Aplunger 308 is inserted into a second end 306 b of the hollow tube 302so as to be movable relative to the hollow tube 302 between a retractedposition (shown in FIG. 11 ) and an extended position (shown in FIG. 13). Referring to FIG. 14 , the plunger 308 having a seal 310substantially disposed at an end 312 a of the plunger. The plunger 308has a handle 314 disposed at an other end 312 b of the plunger 308. Thehandle 314 can be configured as a knob.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 11-14 , the hollow tube extendsalong a longitudinal axis (L) and the nozzle 304 is configured to directfluid in a direction (D) offset from the longitudinal axis. However, thenozzle 304 can also be configured to direct the fluid in the samedirection as the longitudinal axis.

The hollow tube 302 has a first hollow portion 302 a and a second hollowportion 302 b. The first hollow portion 302 a having a larger innerdiameter than the second hollow portion 302 a so that the first hollowportion 302 a can store a larger amount of fluid. The plunger 308movable only within the first hollow portion 302 a to force the fluid inthe first hollow portion 302 a into the second hollow portion 302 b andthrough the nozzle 304. The nozzle 304 being disposed on the end 306 aof the second hollow portion 302 b.

The seal 310 sealingly engages with an inner surface of the hollow tube302, particularly in the first hollow portion 302 a, such as with one ormore projections 310 a integrally formed on an elastomer tip 310 b. Theseal 310 can be configured as a piston. Alternatively, the end of theplunger 308 can be configured to have one or more O-ring grooves havingan O-ring in each of such one or more grooves to act as the seal.

The seal 310 defines an inner cavity 316 in the hollow tube 302 forholding a fluid, from the seal 310 to the nozzle 304 outlet. The innercavity 316 being in fluid communication with the nozzle 304 such thatfluid in the inner cavity 316 is discharged from the nozzle 304 when theplunger 308 is moved towards the retracted position and fluid is drawninto the inner cavity 316 when the plunger 308 is moved towards theextended position.

FIGS. 15-20 illustrate another embodiment of a toothbrush 400 having amanually operated pump to provide a water pic function. Such pump havingthe water-pic function is manually operated without the need forelectric power and without the need for an electric pump. As shown inFIG. 15 , the toothbrush 400 has a conventional head 402 having an arrayof bristles 404. The head and bristles are formed of materials know inthe art, such as plastics.

The toothbrush head 402 extends longitudinally to a neck 406. The neckcan also be formed of materials known in the art, such as plastics. Theshaft 408 can be formed integrally with the neck or separately therefromand fixed to the neck 406, such as by press fitting, threading oradhering a portion of the shaft into a corresponding blind hole ormating thread in the neck 406. The neck 406 further extendslongitudinally with a shaft 408 which is exposed when a holding tube 410is moved longitudinally away from the head 404. A free end of the shaftincludes a plunger or piston 412 closely fitted with an inner diameterof the holding tube 410. Similarly to that shown in FIG. 4 a or 14, theplunger or piston 412 can have one or more seals formed on a surfacethereof which seals against an inner surface of the holding tube 410.The sealing surface can be integrally formed with the plunger or pistonor separately formed, such as an o-ring disposed in a correspondingo-ring groove on the piston or plunger. The head 402, neck 406, shaft408 and tube 410 forming a body and at least parts thereof configuringthe pump. An additional seal can also be provided similarly to thatdisclosed at reference number 114 in FIG. 4 a.

As shown in FIGS. 19-21 , another end of the holding tube 410 includes anozzle 416 having an opening 416 a with a diameter smaller than that ofthe inner diameter of the holding tube 410. The nozzle 416 beingconcealed by an end cap 450 that is removable from the holding tube 410,such as by any structure known in the art for releasably securing twoitems together, such as the illustrated detect mechanism 402 shown inFIGS. 16-20 , particularly in FIG. 17 . Detent mechanisms are well knownin the art as having a member 454 biased into a hole 456. Urging themember 454 against the biasing releases the member 454 from the hole456. Also, forcing the end cap 450 onto the holding tube 410 pushes themember 454 against the biasing until the member 454 aligns with the hole456 and secures the cap 450 on the holding tube 410. The detent can alsobe provided to secure and release the head 102 to another end of theholding tube 410. Although the detent 452 is shown in detail with regardto the other end of the holding tube 410 releasable securing the head102 and the holding tube 410, the same configuration can be used withregard to releasably securing the end cap 450 to the holding tube 410.Other configurations for such releasably securing known in the art canalso be used, such as mating threads and snap interference fits.

The holding tube 410 can be formed of a plastic, which can betransparent or substantially transparent. The nozzle 416 can beintegrally formed with the holding tube 410 or separately formedtherefrom and fixed to the holding tube 410, such as by press-fit,mating threads or adhesive.

The holding tube 410 is longitudinally movable on the shaft 408 from thecompressed position shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 to the extended positionshown in FIGS. 18-21 .

To operate the pumping water-pic function of the toothbrush 400, theholding tube 410 is moved to the compressed state shown in FIG. 15 withthe end cap 450 removed and while the nozzle 416 immersed in a liquid,such as water. While maintaining the nozzle 416 immersed in the liquid,the neck 406 (and head 402) is withdrawn away from the holding tube 410so as to draw the liquid into the holding tube 410 by suction. Thenozzle 416 can then be removed from the liquid and directed at the teethwhile the holding tube 410 is drawn back towards the neck 406 such thatthe plunger 412 forces the liquid in the holding tube 410 to be expelledfrom the nozzle 416.

The pressure at which the liquid is expelled from the nozzle varies withthe force applied to withdraw the holding tube 410 towards the neck 406and the size of the opening of the nozzle 416. In this regard, thenozzle 416 can be replaceable, such as with a female thread on thenozzle and a mating male thread on the end of the holding tube 410. Ifreplaceable, a seal can also be provided between the nozzle and theholding tube, such as mating tapered surfaces or an elastomer seal. Thereplaceable nozzles can have varying size openings to provide varyingpressures.

As a further alternative, the head 402 and/or bristles 404 can bereplaceable from the neck 406 to replace bristles that are worn or toprovide different stiffness bristles.

While there has been shown and described what is considered to bepreferred embodiments of the invention, it will, of course, beunderstood that various modifications and changes in form or detailcould readily be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention. It is therefore intended that the invention be not limited tothe exact forms described and illustrated, but should be constructed tocover all modifications that may fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A manually operated water-pic comprising: a bodycomprising a hollow tube; a nozzle disposed at a first end of the hollowtube: a plunger inserted into a second end of the hollow tube so as tobe movable relative to the hollow tube between a retracted position andan extended position, the plunger having a seal substantially disposedat an end of the plunger; wherein the seal sealingly engaging with aninner surface of the hollow tube; and the seal defines an inner cavityin the hollow tube for holding a fluid, the inner cavity being in fluidcommunication with the nozzle such that fluid in the inner cavity isdischarged from the nozzle when the plunger is moved towards theretracted position and fluid is drawn into the inner cavity when theplunger is moved towards the extended position.
 2. The manually operatedwater-pic of claim 1, wherein the tube has a first hollow portion and asecond hollow portion, the first hollow portion having a larger innerdiameter than the second hollow portion, the plunger being movable onlywithin the first hollow portion, and the nozzle being disposed on an endof the second hollow portion.
 3. The manually operated water-pic ofclaim 1, wherein the seal is a piston.
 4. The manually operatedwater-pic of claim 1, wherein the hollow tube is disposed to extendalong a longitudinal axis and the nozzle is configured to direct fluidin a direction offset from the longitudinal axis.
 5. The manuallyoperated water-pic of claim 1, further comprising a handle disposed atan other end of the plunger.
 6. The manually operated water-pic of claim5, wherein the handle is a knob.
 7. The manually operated water-pic ofclaim 1, wherein the seal comprises first and second seals spaced apartin a longitudinal direction of the plunger.
 8. A toothbrush comprising:a head having bristles at a first end; and a water pic at a second end,the water pic comprising: a shaft extending from the head, the shafthaving a first seal substantially disposed at a free end of the shaft; aholding tube movably disposed over the shaft, the holding tubecomprising an inner cavity for holding a fluid, the inner cavity havinga surface upon which the first seal sealingly engages; a nozzle disposedat a first end of the holding tube for discharging the fluid; and an endcap releasably secured to the first end to conceal the nozzle whensecured to the first end and to expose the nozzle when releasablyremoved from the first end.
 9. The toothbrush of claim 8, wherein theend cap is removably secured on the first end of the holding tube by adetent mechanism.
 10. The toothbrush of claim 8, wherein the holdingtube having a second end, the second end having a detent mechanism forreleasably securing the head to the second end of the holding tube.